SAFE USE OF CHEMICALS IN THE CLEANING INDUSTRY

by: ROSANNA M. TUBELONIA

OSH Trainer and Accedited Safety Practitioner

Housekeeping and preventive maintenance are foundational tools in any occupational safety and health program.

For this, a group of workers are employed to ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of various workplaces, such as schools, hospitals, hotels, offices, restaurants and manufacturing plants, to name only a few. Among their ranks are the building maintenance personnel, janitors or housekeepers. An essential part of their job involves the use of a number of cleaning chemicals to ensure the cleanliness of their buildings. Some cleaning chemicals can be hazardous, causing problems ranging from skin rashes and burns to coughing and asthma.

Types of Cleaning Materials. Cleaning materials can be classified into three (3) broad categories:

Cleaners remove dirt through wiping, scrubbing or mopping. Sanitizers contain chemicals that reduce, but do not necessarily eliminate, micro- organisms such as bacteria, viruses and molds from surfaces.
Sanitizers are actually needed in certain areas, like toilets and food preparation areas.
Disinfectants contain chemicals that destroy or inactivate microorganisms that cause infections. These are critical for infection control in hospitals, medical laboratories and other healthcare settings.

Safe Work Practices in Using Cleaning Chemicals

For Employers

Choose the cleaning material to be used wisely. The three types of materials serve different purposes. Before purchasing the material, determine the purpose first. Is sanitizing or disinfecting necessary? If not, then choose from the ranks of cleaners. It is important to use the least hazardous chemical which will equally do the purpose as well. In general, disinfectants and sanitizers are more hazardous than cleaners. If disinfecting and sanitizing however is needed, be sure that the product purchased is effective for the microorganisms being targeted. It will be a waste of resources, aside from exposing the workers unnecessarily, should the wrong chemical be purchased.

If sanitizers and disinfectants are to be used, be familiar with the chemical used. While obtaining the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) of the said chemicals is the ideal situation, the reality is that said material may not always be available at the level of the dealer or the supplier. But at the very least, be familiar with the basic chemical compound (acid, alkaline, etc.) or the form (solid, foam, or mist) in which it becomes hazardous and the possible effects of the chemical.
Do not mix chemicals on your own unknowingly. OSH experts caution that mixing cleaning products that contain bleach and ammonia can cause severe lung damage or death.
Identify and provide the necessary personal protective equipment to your workers such as gloves, masks, goggles and aprons.
Train the workers on the safe practices in using chemicals.
Provide the workers with a place to wash up after using cleaning chemicals.

Workers

Do not mix cleaning products that contain bleach and ammonia;
Get to know which cleaning chemicals must be diluted and how to correctly dilute the cleaners you are using;
Thoroughly review and train on the use, storage and emergency spill procedures for cleaning chemicals;
Be aware of the proper protective equipment needed, such as gloves and goggles, and the proper use and storage of said equipment
Ensure that all containers of cleaning products and chemicals are labeled to identify their contents and hazards;
Operate ventilation systems as needed during cleaning tasks to allow sufficient air flow and prevent buildup of hazardous vapors.

Worker Training Topics Training must be provided BEFORE the worker begins using the chemicals at the Level and Language they can understand. Posters, illustrations, videos and actual demonstrations with practicum are recommended training approaches. Use the vernacular if necessary. Topics should involve the following:

Health and physical hazards of the cleaning chemicals;
Proper handling, use and storage of all cleaning chemicals being used, including dilution procedures when a cleaning product must be diluted before use;
Proper procedures to follow when a spill occurs;
Personal protective equipment required for using the cleaning product, such as gloves, safety goggles and respirators; and How to obtain and use hazard information, including an explanation of labels and SDSs.

More , the following issues MUST be discussed with workers during training:

Never mix different cleaning chemicals together. Dangerous gases can be released.
Cleaning chemicals should not be used to wash hands. Wash hands with water after working with a cleaning chemical, especially before eating, drinking or smoking.

With such precautions in place, we can lessen hazard exposure of the cleaners and maintenance personnel in our respective companies and organizations.